•March 3, 2021•
Last week Governor JB Pritzker signed the criminal justice reform legislation omnibus bill (HB 3653 (Rep. Slaughter,Chicago/Sen. Sims,Chicago) into law. This was despite overwhelming express opposition by state’s attorneys, police chiefs, sheriffs, police officers, crime victims, and many citizens across Illinois. The opposition is not just to significant portions of contents of the bill but also the way the bill was passed. On January 13, 2021,the 764-page bill was presented to the Illinois Senate at 3:04 a.m. and was voted on that same morning at 4:49 a.m. Read More
Category Archives: News Section
COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Effects on Mental Health
•March 3, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer
From wearing masks to social distancing, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes to our lives in the past year. While some social distancing is good, don’t let that turn into complete isolation from others.
According to kff.org, during the pandemic, about four in 10 adults in the United States have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, a share that has been largely consistent, up from one in 10 adults who reported those symptoms from January to June 2019. A KFF Health Tracking Poll from July 2020 also found that many adults are reporting specific negative impacts on their mental health and well-being such as difficulty sleeping (36%) or eating (32%), increases in alcohol consumption or substance abuse (12%) and worsening chronic conditions (12%) due to worry and stress over the coronavirus.
Dave Cole, director of the Moultrie County Counseling Center, said that statistically there has been a rise in mental health concerns and substance abuse due to the coronavirus. “I feel that it is a very big concern that the longer COVID continues it becomes an ongoing issue,” he said. Read More
Pets Need Extra Care In Frigid Weather
by Ellen Ferrara
NP Writer
Because cats and dogs are covered in fur, we tend to think they are protected from the cold, but such is not the case. Dogs and cats are as susceptible to frostbite as humans, especially on the former’s ears, tails and feet.
A good rule of thumb to remember is that if it’s too cold for you to be outdoors, it is probably too cold for your pets as well.
My cousin’s husband, Dr. Trent Fisher, is a graduate of Purdue University Veterinary School and is recently retired after many years at his veterinary clinic in Salem, Indiana. Dr. Fisher offers the following tips for pet care during the winter:
. Make sure dogs and cats are microchipped or have a collar in case they get lost. More dogs are lost in winter storms than any time of the year.
. Make sure they have shelter to keep them warm and dry. If sheltered outside, bed them with straw and blankets and turn their shelter away from the wind. Read More
Arthur Resident, Susan Bursa, Has Donated Eight Gallons of Blood
•February 24, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer
The human body holds up to 1.2 to 1.5 gallons (or 10 units/pints) of blood. A person can begin giving blood at 16 years of age (with parental consent), must weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. You may donate once every 56 days. According to redcrossblood.org, every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood as it is important for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. One donation can save up to three lives. Read More
City Council Approves Agreement
•February 24, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The City Council entered into an intergovernmental agreement for the transfer of property from the Moultrie County Rural Public Water District to the city of Sullivan during Monday night’s meeting. The purchase price of the property which is adjacent to the water plant is $10,000. The acquirement of the property will allow for some space between the new water plant and the above-ground water storage tank. Read More
ALAH District Extends School Day by Half an Hour, Dismissal at 2:00 P.M. to Begin March 1
Board hires Marla Graham as the new Lovington Grade School Principal
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer
Jacob Bettinger, an Eagle Scout, attended the ALAH District School Board meeting Wednesday, February 17. Last year he had informed the board of his plan to build an enclosed see-through bus stop shelter at Lovington Grade School.
The enclosed bus stop will measure approximately 6 ft. by 12 ft. to accommodate 10-12 students and will be located east of the old Lovington High School parking lot. He wishes to buy the supplies to build the enclosure rather than buy a prebuilt one as that would be more cost effective. Prebuilt structures cost about $6,000 whereas it would be only around $3,000 to build one himself. He hopes to get sponsors, donations and volunteers to help. His reasoning behind choosing this as his project is because he and his parents have noticed several of the high school students waiting to ride the bus from Lovington to Arthur outside in the elements - especially when it is either raining or snowing. Superintendent Shannon Creek is very pleased with Jacob’s idea and mentioned it would be a great idea to document the project as it is built. After the board reads through some of the designs and plans for the project, they are looking forward to signing its approval. Read More
Building an Igloo
Photo by Crystal Reed
Building an Igloo
Sebastian Rhodes of Sullivan stands next to his partially completed igloo that he was building for his daughter Harlequinne Turner, who turned six on Sunday. To form the blocks for the igloo he used an 18 gallon tote.
City of Sullivan Establishes A Revolving Loan Program
•February 17, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer
During the Feb 8 City Council meeting, an ordinance establishing a revolving loan program for the city of Sullivan was approved. The council appropriated a sum of $400,000 for initial funding of the program.
Prior to 1992, the US Department of Agriculture had a revolving loan program available to communities at low interest rates to push development and employment. That program had the amount of $250,000 appropriated to it. City Administrator Dan Flannell said that through that program the city of Sullivan made many loans to businesses, but as interest rates declined the need for the program went away. Read More
Demolition on Titus Home Expected to Take 3-4 Weeks Depending on Weather
Photo by R.R. Best
•February 17, 2021•
By Crystal Reed
NP Writer
The demolition process began last week at the site of the Titus home. According to Sullivan City Administrator Dan Flannell, the demolition is expected to be completed within three-four weeks.
The brick and concrete from the structure will be removed to the city of Sullivan’s storage lot where it will be ground up and repurposed. The property will not be for sale and will stay in the inventory of the city long term.
Flannell said that the demolition crew is avoiding the disturbance of trees and plantings on the property, and a small metal garage will remain in place as storage for the park system.
According to a biography written by R. Eden Martin, the Titus home was built by Winnifred Titus’s father, J.B. Titus, in 1895, replacing an earlier and small four-room structure on the same site. The new house was a home for J.B., his wife Louise, Winnie (22 in 1895) and Louise’s aged mother Wilhelmina. After Winnie returned from Europe in 1910, she lived with her parents in that home where she offered piano lessons to her students. Read More
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!
Photo by Crystal Reed
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!
Crews remove snow near the Sullivan square on Monday morning.